Story Reader / Main Story / 34 Dream till the Timeless End / Story
Fast City
Suburban Villa
14:30
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Iris returns to her room, where letters she retrieved from the mailbox lie spread across her table.
She pulls out letter paper, casually stacking them before picking up her pen. Elegant royal blue ink flows across the page.
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—Bane has signed the "The New Earth Codex", ending the successful journey.</size></color></i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—By then, the notes will have completely slid to the bottom of the staff, and the distance from the main line with width five will be the optimal length for the slash.</size></color></i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—The closed loop will set forth a chain of events, and our sending messages via letters may no longer be viable,</size></color></i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>You must ensure the viability of the remaining option during your journey.</size></color></i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—...</size></color></i>
The flow of ink stops here. Iris hesitates before adding an emotional line.
<i><color=#0066CC><size=32>—The critical point for the slash is close and must be secured.</size></color></i>
Iris blows the ink dry, slips the letter into an envelope, and stamps it with a wax seal. She lets out a long sigh.
She pulls out a blank piece of paper, carefully lays it on the desk, and leans back against her chair.
Her expression softens. The seriousness from earlier—when she spoke of Lueya—and her calm, composed front both begin to disappear.
Her gaze travels beyond this piece of paper, the room and even the horizon. Suddenly, Iris chuckles softly.
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—Dear [player name].</size></color><i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—How are you? I miss you so much.</size></color><i>
Her writing flows with tranquility, each stroke soft and tender. Even the air in the room seems to have lightened.
After a long while, the sound of her pen running on paper ceases as the letter is finally done. Looking at these words, Iris is reading it over and over again.
As if reading it countless times might allow her to hear the recipient's gentle voice replying in her ear.
Finally, Iris makes herself stop, knowing that indulging in such comfort only makes the long journey ahead more difficult.
She picks up her violin and the bow dances across the strings.
As the music fills the air, the letter begins to dance, drawn by an unseen force. It bundles into a tight ball, then unfolds like a germinating seed and grows into a flower.
A pale blue glow creeps up the paper flower, then vanishes with the last note, as if it were never there at all.
Inside the villa, Dandelion sits beside Jonathan with documents spread across the table, patiently explaining everything.
Due to their troubled history, the people of Bane are particularly sensitive to certain ideas in the "The New Earth Codex".
A prime example is the Northern Territory Incident, which had a profound impact on Bane's social climate and public consciousness. If we want to advance the protocol, these sections should...
...
Bang!
Jonathan?
The man has his eyes on the text but his mind is wandering. He snaps the book shut and the loud noise startles Dandelion.
Am I making it dry? If you're not interested in this part, we could...
Your eloquence and tone are far more pleasant than the cold legal articles, but...
Jonathan calmly finishes the thought that Dandelion didn't finish.
...I'm sorry, you're right. I'm not interested.
Dandelion, have you ever been to court?
...No, I'm not a lawyer. I'm just a content writer who read some legal documents after learning about my mission.
Do you know what lawyers typically do when they get a trial they're going to lose?
Dandelion knows what Jonathan's trying to say and furrows her brow, but realizes she's not in a position to refute him.
So she speaks calmly, her tone more like a plea than a confrontation.
...Are you going to run away, Jonathan?
...No, I have always faced things head-on in my past.
My win rate isn't one hundred percent, not even eighty. I've never cared about the stats. Once I take a case, I see it through to the end, no exceptions.
Because I believe my presence is necessary for the court and the case. But in this situation, I'm not a lawyer. I'm not even part of the court.
Jonathan looks at the hem of his clothes. There's a tear from his escape from the Dionysus Theater.
I'm just courtroom evidence to be used against Enora Lueya, who's facing death. I'm just a piece of evidence... one of many.
Enora Lueya wants me dead because my death would alter the United Government's future direction. Iris wants me alive because I can ensure Bane signs the "The New Earth Codex".
I'm important, but they don't value me. They only care about the agreement.
Iris isn't like that. She's not someone who only cares about results. Otherwise, she... wouldn't have saved me, either.
...Perhaps. The Iris you describe does match her words and demeanor.
I don't know her past, but her attitude just now... I know it all too well.
I don't get what you mean...
She's like a lawyer whose case is approaching its verdict, so she needs to focus on preparing the materials for the court hearing.
...
Does knowing that mean anything to you, Mr. Jonathan?
I can't see the full scope of this case. If we lose, the defendant will destroy not only the plaintiff and lawyer, but also the evidence, and even the entire court.
But from what she, or what you've told me, I can tell that Enora Lueya follows just two rules: destruction and murder. These alone make up her entire legal code.
Disrupting history, mixing up time... What exactly does she want? I can't figure it out, and you don't have the answer.
But no matter how I look at it, I cannot participate in a case with such a lack of transparency and high risk.
If you give up here... Bane will...
Dandelion presses her lips together, her eyes filled with a silent plea.
Earlier, when Iris mentioned the possibility that the peace operation would include Bane, she glanced at Dandelion, giving Jonathan a clue to Dandelion's identity.
Dandelion is from Bane, which explains why she willingly became involved after Iris saved her.
But Jonathan is not. Before his identity as a "lawyer," he is more of an "ordinary person."
I'm sorry...
He places the book on Dandelion's lap, stands up, and takes out his phone, apologizing as he dials a number.
I'm very grateful for your help. If you need any legal consultation in the future, you're welcome to find me—free of charge.
If you need money, give me an account number. I'll donate half of my law firm's liquid assets to you—immediately.
But now...
Beep—
With a soft beep, the call connects.
Jonathan silently mouths to Dandelion—"I should go."
This is the United Government Legal Affairs Department. I'm operator K144. How may I help you?
This is Jonathan, a registered lawyer with the United Government Legal Affairs Department. Due to personal reasons, I cannot continue with the current task assigned by the department. Please help me initiate the termination process.
Please wait a moment...
You are Mr. Jonathan, a consulting advisor for the Legal Affairs Department, correct?
The system shows you are currently involved in the Bane legal code research project, and will be traveling to Bane with the Legal Affairs Department delegation next week.
You would like to end this task now, is that correct?
Jonathan holds his phone and gives a slight nod after exchanging glances with Dandelion.
Yes.
Understood. I've processed your request. You'll need to complete some additional steps. We will contact you again by phone.
Thank you for your help.
Jonathan hangs up and avoids Dandelion's gaze, bending down to pack his clothes instead.
Footsteps approach as Iris returns to the living room, her wounds now properly treated.
Looks like Mr. Jonathan and Dandelion didn't reach an agreement.
This is my fault. I'm selfish. I hope you don't regret saving me.
Nobody should regret saving someone's life, regardless of what happens.
But running away won't solve anything. As long as you're still in charge, Lueya won't let you go.
I've already given up on the task assigned to me by the United Government, though I know it's not right to pass this disaster on to someone else.
Jonathan's hands freeze as he buttons his sleeve.
But I'm innocent too.
You're missing my point. If things could be changed so easily, Lueya and I wouldn't be at this standoff right now.
Iris glances at the phone Jonathan still clutches in his hand.
The world has inertia. It naturally stays on its established path. It's change that comes with a price.
As if to validate Iris's words, Jonathan's phone rings.
Jo, are you in trouble?
...
I ran into something at the Dionysus Theater...
Jonathan looks up at the two.
We were attacked by an armed organization. Their resolve to stop Bane from signing the "The New Earth Codex" is far beyond what we imagined.
...Jo, I know how hard this is for you, but someone has to finish this.
The "The New Earth Codex" is a massive undertaking. The Legal Affairs Office of the United Government has no other option left. Even I am already on a plane.
I won't appeal to some grand cause to persuade you, but... the world is changing. Once you're caught up in it, it's difficult to walk away.
You've been a member of the United Government for so long and part of their "peacekeeping operations." Aren't you familiar with their methods by now?
Jonathan's face instantly darkens.
Think it over again, Jo. It's not just for others, it's also for yourself.
Thank you for your reminder...
Jonathan abruptly ends the call.
Before he can even process his emotions, his phone lights up again. It's a text message from the United Government.
Each word hides a threat behind respect.
Iris sighs. Before she can speak, a knock at the door breaks the silence.
...Hello?
Hello, this is Unit 6? Which one of you is Iris? I have something for you.
Iris takes the envelope and the familiar texture sends a wave of unease through her.
The blue handwriting appears steady, but the hurried strokes between the lines reveal it was written in haste.
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—The Multilateral Trade Agreement happening at Mirror Sea Twin Towers has been postponed due to an unknown attack. Witnesses reported a metal giant, which some experts claim to be a secret military weapon.</size></color><i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—The Mantaine coastline peace operation of the Tuka Independent Guard has encountered significant resistance. Unknown attackers are throwing the situation into chaos.</size></color><i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—The 709th Mechanized Brigade of the United Government has entered the Roro Rainforest in accordance with the joint security regulations in the "The New Earth Codex" - Roro and United Government Section.</size></color><i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>During the deployment, they were attacked by an unidentified armed organization and suffered heavy casualties. No one has claimed responsibility for the incident.</size></color><i>
<i><color=#0066CC><size=35>—Lueya has realized the critical point for slash is approaching. She has launched attacks against various nodes and is attempting to break free.</size></color><i>
Iris? What's wrong? You look terrible...
She's found the loophole... She's fighting back...
Who?
The ground trembles for a second before Dandelion can finish. Iris turns her head, her mechanical pupils start adjusting, and she sees something in the distance.
Enora Lueya, she's here.
Babylonia
District Information Center Server Room
7:00
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The next day, you follow a message on your terminal and arrive at the Information Center in the same district as the Dormitory.
The usually bustling building is now temporarily closed. The few people who come up click their tongues in disappointment and walk away.
Good morning, Commandant.
You walk into the building with Ayla after going around the barriers.
Last night, the forensics department ran three thorough tests on your letter. They did not find anything.
As for the painting—our last clue. It gave leads that are too vague, so they've decided to involve information technology specialists.
It's not the specialists, but the solution they're working on...
Ayla blinks, takes out her terminal, and taps it a few times before reciting the text.
"We've decided to abstract your painting into different conceptual data sets based on three disciplines: art, medicine, and forensic analysis."
"These conceptual data sets will then be transformed into various keywords used in a search throughout Babylonia to find matching content."
I'd like one too.
Beep—
As she finishes speaking, the terminal chimes and auto-connects before she can touch it.
The plain version is: we're digitizing the painting to figure out why it made you both uncomfortable, and to see if anyone else reacts to it.
The search scope is huge, and filtering the scattered data is complicated, so we've booked this place as our temporary workspace. Also...
The voice goes quiet for a moment. A heavy breathing sound follows, as if the speaker is leaning closer.
You both came without breakfast?!
You enter the Information Center's server room and see rows of wide monitors lining the walls. Data cascades down the screens like waterfalls, while subtle beeps hum rhythmically.
At the control console, a petite figure is curled up in an oversized chair with a vacant stare.
She looks more like an employee who's pulled an all-nighter, rather than a Construct.
Oh no.
Teddy rolls her eyes. All-nighters might be nothing new, but staring at endless streams of data is clearly more tiring than playing "Ultimate Bear Brawl" in her dormitory.
A rhythmic, melodic notification chimes in harmony with your terminal alerts.
Your order of two cherry-flavored electrolyte drinks and one cherry-flavored milk tea has been accepted. The vendor is preparing your order.
Because it makes me look more professional, plus it helps me blow off steam!
My only conclusion is that there's something odd about what happened to you. We don't have enough information to form a theory.
Her fingers fly across the controls as she pulls up a user-friendly interface. A dozen files pop up in succession across the monitors.
First of all, the painting. I searched Babylonia's entire internal network, but there's no picture with more than 60% similarity. I also checked the ones with less similarity. No need to waste any words for that.
I can't get more information because the portrait lacks facial features. That's usually the easiest characteristic to match, essentially serving as the key data.
Because I haven't decided how to draw it yet...
...
The cursor traces "whatever" across the screen in response.
I also have people's reactions to this painting from over 280 individuals across 66 industries and 4 age groups, using both indirect questionnaires and direct interviews.
The data from this was the only result I got last night.
Certain age groups showed reactions beyond typical observations. The reactions weren't obvious—often just casual comments or remarks—but they became significant once the sample size increased.
I've divided these individuals into two distinct groups based on their reactions.
Teddy glances at Ayla as she continues to speak.
The first group shares an obvious trait: affiliation with the WGAA. Allen and certain other WGAA members, for example.
But the second group didn't. There were no common traits in terms of social status, purchasing power, living location, or recent experiences.
I spent the entire night digging and eventually found something. The result is fascinating.
Teddy pulls up a column of data, labeled ticket purchase records.
They all attended an old opera that was recently restaged: "The Acadia Evacuation". Almost all of them were present at its premiere.
I've already reported these findings to Asimov. He'll find resources to conduct a thorough interview of these individuals.
Don't forget. I'm keeping a record, and I'll send it to your terminal with daily reminders.
I've already updated it. I'm in charge of this quarter's version, and it hasn't even been synced to the Information Technology Center yet.{226|153|170}
By the way... is that the image analysis software on screen?
Ayla interrupts the playful banter.
Yes, it is. Do you want to search for images with less than sixty percent similarity?
No. Didn't you just say there were no matches?
Then what's this...?
You all fix your gaze on the screen where Ayla's finger is.
On the bottom of the screen, on a red bar that shows an error that has self-repaired, one result stands out.
<size=38>>></size>
<size=38>>>Image Match Similarity: <color=#ff4e4eff>95%</color></size>
<size=38>>>Matching Module Tag: <color=#ff4e4eff>Character Depiction</color></size>
<size=38>>>Match Target: <color=#ff4e4eff>Backup Frame - Capriccio.</color></size>
<size=38>>>Details: <color=#ff4e4eff>no registration info</color></size>
？
Teddy furrows her brow, and a dizzying array of windows pop up on the screen.
Soon, more information appears.
<size=38>>></size>
<size=38>>>Search Core: <color=#ff4e4eff>Backup Frame Capriccio</color></size>
<size=38>>>Details: <color=#ff4e4eff>no registration info</color></size>
<size=38>>>Current Location: <color=#ff4e4eff>Conservation Area 221 Warehouse</color></size>
<size=38>>>Frame Processing Status: <color=#ff4e4eff>Pending Destruction (180:03:31)</color></size>
<size=38>>>Process Registered By: <color=#ff4e4eff>Control Court - Ishmael</color></size>
...I think we've found the issue.
—Temporary communication channel established. I've created a combat mission under the Science Council's dispatch authority. I'll assist you in accessing Conservation Area 221's surveillance systems.
I'll use the Science Council's authority to block her surface access request and stop Ishmael from reaching Conservation Area 221 before you do—I'm on my way to her now.
You quickly assess your plan and leave Babylonia without gathering combat supplies.
